Bella U. Holocaust testimony

Identifier
HVT 1296
Language of Description
English
Level of Description
Collection
Source
EHRI Partner

Abstract

Videotape testimony of Bella U., who was born in Nuremberg, Germany in 1928. She recalls her comfortable childhood prior to 1934; her mother identifying herself as a Christian to protect their house during Kristallnacht (she had converted to Judaism); her father obtaining passage to Cuba after his brief arrest in May 1939; their departure on the St. Louis from Hamburg; refusal by the Cuban government to allow debarkation of any passengers; sailing between Cuba and Florida while efforts were made to find refuge; returning to Europe; living in Cherbourg, then Poitiers and Loudun; her father's internment as an "enemy alien"; his release after German invasion; arrest with her family in 1942; release with her mother and sister after her mother declared herself a Christian (they never saw her father again); arrest with her mother and sister in 1944; and release from Drancy with assistance from a German official. Mrs. U. describes living in Paris and Loudun; liberation; their emigration to the United States in 1947; her mother's death in 1949; and her marriage in 1950. She discusses her reluctance to share these memories with her children; visits to Europe; and attending the St. Louis reunion. She shows photographs.

Extent and Medium

1 videocassette (3/4" u-matic)

Conditions Governing Access

This testimony is open with permission.

Conditions Governing Reproduction

Copyright has been transferred to the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies. Use of this testimony requires permission of the Fortunoff Video Archive.

Rules and Conventions

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Process Info

  • compiled by Staff of the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies

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Genre

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.